Making your plan for your DIY project....part 1!

Here I talked about "Finding Your Inspiration" for your DIY project! Hopefully you have a "mental image" of WHAT you THINK you want your space or piece to be in the end! And a "file" full of inspirational pictures! DO NOT move forward until you have collected your "inspirations." And again, they don't have to be pictures of EXACTLY what your space IS or want it to be...just contain "elements" that you love!

Making a "plan" is a two part process.

First you have to know exactly what "space" you are dealing with.

Then you will figure out what elements you can pull from your inspirations.

First, take measurements. If it is a piece of furniture, measure it and draw it out...make notes on the side about what you want to do with the piece.

If it is a room, measure it...length, width, and the height of the walls....and draw it out. Measure the windows and doors and draw those on your plan.

You don't have to use a high tech "CAD" program to draw your room. I have tried to use the free online programs that let you design a room...I found the "learning curve" to be frustrating! And honestly, not worth my time!

Simple graph paper (they have it at office supply stores), a ruler and a pencil will do. Try to draw your space to scale if possible! For example, if you are using graph paper, make 1 square equal 3-4."

Measure every single thing you can think of. Having too many measurements is more helpful than not having enough. I usually "rough" draw it on plain paper, then transfer it on graph paper, to scale.

I am not adding curtains or window dressings so I did not measure or draw the windows...and I am not changing out my lighting or paddle fan...but if you are, you need to make sure that is in your plan.

Note my little orange tabs...that is furniture! If you draw the plan to scale, you can cut furniture to scale out of sticky notes (Post-Its) and arrange and rearrange without breaking your back! I measured the pieces I have that will be going back into the space and included a few "generic" chairs I want to add...maybe not right this minute, but eventually. You can find the "generic" sizes for chairs, tables, couches, etc. online. For example, I already have a side table that I intend to use...so I measured it and placed it on my plan. However, if I needed a new table, I would have the exact size of the "space" available for a new table.

This little "paper plan" will help you in several respects. First, if you don't know how to figure square footage for flooring or paint quantity, the salesman at your home improvement store will help you figure out how much you will need of any product...flooring, tile, paint, trim, etc.

Second, it gives you a true picture of how much space you have to deal with when arranging furniture!

On this little plan make a detailed list of EVERYTHING you want to do in the space....including repairs that need to be made (fix windows, replace trim, repair holes in the wall, etc!) Even if you think or know you can't afford to do it right now, write it on the plan! Someday....

In my case, I want to paint the fireplace mantel, install a new tile surround, lay new flooring and new base trim and paint. I want to change up the accessories a bit and eventually add additional seating.

If you know how to figure "square footage" or paint quantity, go ahead and put that figure next to each of the things you want to change.

This list needs to be super detailed. Until you know EXACTLY what you need and want to do, you can't make a list of materials and assign a material and labor cost!

Right now, don't worry about colors or curtains or knick-knacks...we are just dealing with the "space."

Trust me, if you start throwing colors on the wall or buying furniture before these two steps, you will NOT be happy!

HINT: Sometimes it is hard to "visualize" changes to your space when there is stuff already there! If that is the case, empty out the room...take out the furniture, window dressings, rugs, knick-knacks, etc. Think of it this way...it is hard to paint a picture on a canvas that already has a picture on it! Also, if you know you do not want that element in your new plan, GET RID OF IT!!! Sometimes we have a tendency to throw things back in a room just because we have it...so donate it, sell it or trash it!

The actual "design" and making a budget comes next...so get your tape measure out and stay tuned!

Once you have "made your plan" go here to see how we put it all together!

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Finding inspiration for your DIY project....

One of my favorite blogs is Remodeloholic.com. It is a great "one stop shop" for anyone wanting to do a DIY project, whether it be decorate a room or paint a piece of furniture!

It is one of the few sites I have on my Facebook feed. Don't ask me how it got there...somehow I "follow" it so all the post and questions show up on my Facebook feed.

Time and again, people ask "What color do I paint it, how do I lighten this room, how should I redecorate my room?" And I could answer almost every question with a simple answer...find your "inspiration" and "make a plan."

But that is easier said than done and that is exactly why people are asking complete strangers for help! Unfortunately, we all have different tastes and we all have different ideas of how we want a room to function or how we want a piece of furniture to look...so everyone has a different opinion. And if you ask me, that just makes it that much harder to decided what to do!

Deciding what color to paint a piece of furniture or a wall or what fabric to use to reupholster a chair or how to arrange a room are ALL things I struggle with. It took my 13 years to figure out what to do with my master bath and 15 years to do my master bedroom.

Now, I absolutely love those rooms! Love them! There are a few little things I still want to do...and I will in time. But I found my inspiration, made a plan and worked the plan.

And THAT is the key....find your inspiration, make a plan and work that plan. It doesn't matter if you are painting an old dresser or reupholstering a chair or remodeling an entire room! If you start making changes without knowing what you want the end result to be and a start to finish plan, you WILL be disappointed.

Think of it this way...when you build a house, you start by finding a plan....well, first you have to figure out WHERE you want to build and how much you can spend, but after that, you have to find a plan. Before you pick colors, cabinets, flooring...anything...you have a "plan."

It makes no difference if it is a big project or a little project...you have to have a clear "vision" (the plan) and you have to work that plan. Yes, you may make a few changes along the way, but you still have to work the basic plan!

I am currently "itching" to change my den. I need new flooring and after 15 years it's time to do a few little updates. Truth be told, I still love this room...it is my "fall" room. Burnt oranges, black and golds....

I absolutely love this room, especially during the holidays.

But lately I have really found myself drawn to the lighter spaces..teals, whites, creams...and I have decided it is time for a change!

So, here is the process....and keep in mind, it doesn't matter whether you are making over an entire room or painting a dresser. Smaller scale, but same process!

1) Find your inspiration. By that, I mean find what you REALLY love. I do this by looking at pictures on the internet...blogs, Pinterest, magazine sites. I look at TONS of pictures...if ANYTHING in a picture "trips my trigger" I immediately put it in a "file."

For me, it is a computer file...but if you aren't real computer "savvy" you can always keep a real "paper" file with magazine clippings and pictures printed from the internet. (I just started this process...when I get done, there will probably be over one hundred photos in this file!)

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I may not like EVERYTHING about the space, but if there is one element I really like...the color, the style, the arrangement, the hardware.... I file it away.

I don't "dwell" on the picture...I don't nit-pick it. If I think "Oooh, that's kind of pretty" or "I really like that color/style/accent/whatever"...I file it. I ignore the "negatives" and see the "positives." If I like ONE little element in the photo, I file it!

Here you can see some photos I used as inspiration for my master bath! No, I don't have a million dollar space...but I was able to go back and look at all the pictures that I liked and find common elements that I was able to incorporate into my design.

For example, I want to "lighten" my fireplace by replacing the black marble surround with light tile. Here are some of my inspirations (I am SO sorry but I don't have "links" to the sources...these are pictures I have been "plucking" off Pinterest and putting in my inspiration file!)

My fireplace has a completely different trim surround. I don't have a hearth and I know I want the wall to be an accent color. I like the color of the herringbone tile on the left, but I prefer the subway tile on the right. Both give me an idea of what my fireplace would look like with a lighter tile surround! They help me visualize the change...now it is just a matter of going to the tile store and picking out the tile I want to use.

What about a simple piece of furniture? You see a picture of a dresser and you LOVE the hardware...not the color, not the style...just the hardware. File it! You see a dresser that is a completely different "style" than what you have, but you LOVE the color...file it!

If I see a picture of a room and I like the couch, but NOTHING else in the room, I file it.

Here are a few pictures that are currently in my "inspiration file" for my den....

The couch....

A club chair I LOVE.....

Note I don't have a "geo" mirror and my mantel is too high for a mirror. But I have a wood finish round mirror on one wall and this gives me an idea of how it will look painted. This picture also has a light fireplace surround. The chairs are not "my style" and I don't want white wainscoting...but I "plucked" the photo because of the tile surround and the mirror!

There are a few pieces in my den I will keep. I will take pictures of those items and put them in file.

So...how do you actually identify your "inspiration." Easy...after weeks or months or even years of "plucking", look at ALL your pictures and identify what element in each you love. Maybe you find yourself drawn to the same wall color...or the same style couch...or a specific cabinet hardware. There was something about each picture you loved. Find it....

Once you have found your "inspiration"...what you REALLY love in a space,... it is time to make a plan.

So the next post will be about "making a plan." Some people are able to "make a plan" on a fancy computer program or a "design board." And if you need that "visualization" that is great.

But first you need to create your space on paper by taking measurements and drawing it out.

So here is how you design a room...

1) Inspiration...covered that here so get busy "plucking" pictures. Again, don't dwell on EVERYTHING in the photo...if something in the photo grabs your attention, file it.

2) Measure and draw your space. You don't have to be an architect to do this...trust me!

3) Make a detailed list of EVERYTHING you want to do in the space.

4) Assign a budget to EVERYTHING you want to do in the space...every dime!

5) Start eating this elephant, one bite at a time (basically, working the plan!)

So stay tuned...I am going to cover each step of this process, one post at a time. While you are waiting, start "finding your inspiration" for the space or piece you want to change. Because until you know what you love, you can not move on to the next step!!!

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"Guest" room makeover...

Okay, so it's not really a "guest" room. It is Mitchell's room....but he hasn't actually lived here for 9 years. And it hasn't gotten a full makeover since he went off to college.

So many people can't wait for their babies to leave the nest so they can turn their rooms into hobby rooms or sewing rooms or perfectly styled guest rooms. Or maybe you want a "naked room." (You had to see the movie...Terry Bradshaw...one of my favorites!)

But I know the "babies" sometimes come home. My baby boys haven't yet established their "own" homes. So mama keeps all their "stuff" at her house and they still have a room to call their own.

It all started with this dresser!

Truth be told, it is a tad larger than I really wanted...but I couldn't resist. Mid century, walnut, gorgeous! (You have to check out the "before and after" to really appreciate it!)

The wall color. Bought the paint without ever looking at a paint chip. Revere Pewter. THE color everyone raves about on Pinterest. I didn't have time to look at thousands of paint chips to find the "perfect" color so this time I took the advice of total strangers, called the paint store and ordered 2 gallons sight unseen. I love it! It really is the "perfect" greige.

I took down and boxed up most of the plaques, certificates, jerseys and pictures. Puttied the holes. Painted the walls. Swept up all the dust bunnies. The trim was in pretty good shape...it was painted when I put down the laminate 8 years ago and hasn't gotten much wear since.

I got it all done and photographed and then Matt reminded me he wanted the comfy queen size bed. (See they DO come home!)

Geez....so I moved Mitchell's bed into Matt's room and Matt's full sized bed into Mitchell's room.

Simple right? Nope. That meant I had to move the furniture around in Matt's room to accommodate the larger bed. And the bedding for the full size bed wasn't "right" in Mitchell's room so I had to go buy new bedding....sheets, pillow cases, bed skirt. Fortunately I stick with plain white down comforters, using throws for color, so that was good!

The only thing I want to add is a full size head board. Matt never wanted one...but I think it needs it! Do you know how many full sized head boards I have bought and sold over the years? This is where patience is important...I KNOW I will find the perfect bed...I just have to be patient!

I left a few of the "important" mementos. After all, it is still "his room."

A smaller bed, declutter the walls, a simple dresser and a fresh coat of paint. The room looks larger and brighter!

No matter how old the kids get, they still need "their" room! But there is no harm in a room pulling "double duty."

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Walnut MCM dresser makeover...Part 2!

You can see "Part 1" of this makeover here...a tutorial on stripping and oiling these amazing pieces!

Okay, I have to admit...EVERY time I work on one of these walnut pieces, two things happen...I fall madly in love with it and I am reminded of how much I LOVE walnut!

This little table is a prime example!

Solid walnut and an absolute true treasure! It certainly didn't LOOK like a treasure when I brought it home, but with a little time and effort, these pieces can become breathtaking additions to any home decor.

I know painted furniture is ALL the rage right now and I agree whole-heartedly that there is indeed a time and a place for painted furniture. My decorating motto...if you can ENHANCE the piece by painting it, go for it!

Some people aren't real keen on stained furniture...and that is okay. But I believe every decor needs the warmth and beauty of a quality natural wood piece...whether it is a table or chair or whatever! Not every piece needs to be painted and no decor should have ONLY painted furniture. Of course, no decor should have ONLY stained furniture either...even I throw in painted pieces here and there...probably not enough for some people's taste, but I do like to "lighten and brighten" occasionally. I painted my bedroom furniture and my office desk and even the little side table in my den. But you may note one common element on all these pieces...I left a little bit of natural wood! (Wow, looking at these old posts I realize my photography skills have come a long way! Still a ways to go, but definitely better!)

I decided to go with both paint and natural wood finish on this dresser. I like the way the painted "box" seems to frame the wood drawers! In my opinion, the results are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

So get ready for a BUNCH of pictures...because I am loving this piece!!!!

As I mention in the first post, the top had some pretty serious ink stains...

With a little "chemical" magic, gone!! When you find yourself faced with wood stains, hit the internet and search for a chemical solution. Trust me, sanding is NOT the answer, especially if you are working with veneer.

Can you even believe that this.....

...could become this. No stain...just a simple strip job and 4 coats of tung oil finish! Walnut in all it's natural glory!

I put this dresser in my oldest son's room. He doesn't actually LIVE here, but he still has a lot of stuff here. His room serves as a guest room and a place to keep all his "stuff." The other kids call it the "museum"...trophies, jerseys, plaques, certificates..high school and college mementos covering pretty much every square inch of the wall space.

Sooooo...it was time. Time for a fresh coat of paint. Time to box up most of the "stuff." Just time.

So later this week I will share his room makeover.

Want to know a little secret? For the first time ever I didn't stress over paint chips trying to pick the perfect paint color. I chose a color that everyone has been raving about on Pinterest and decor blogs. I literally called the paint store and told them to mix up 2 gallons, sight unseen...and I LOVE it!

I can't wait to share!

I am sharing this project with Christine at MustLoveHome.com as well as all my favorite Link Parties!

You can see the full room makeover here!

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MCM Dresser makeover Part 1...a tutorial!

I mentioned here my awesome MCM dresser find! Unfortunately the temperatures have been below freezing and Friday night we had a little snow storm roll in!

Winter "BLAHS!!!!" For some it is that "depression" caused by the short days and over cast skies. For me, it is the result of being forced to sit and look at something I want desperately to begin working on!

So in spite of the freezing temperatures and mounting snow, I decided to dig into my newest treasure. My plan was to strip and oil the top and drawer fronts and paint the cabinet a soft off-white (similar to these little side tables).

I turned on the little electric heaters in the garage (which worked fine until my daughter turned on the blow dryer in my bathroom!), put on my heavy wool socks and Ugg boots, put on a pair of gloves, slipped my rubber gloves over my gloves....and went to work.

First, let me share with you what I call "a treasure." Some may look at this and think "Seriously? A treasure?" Yes people...that is why this blog is called "Beckwith's Treasures"...not "Beckwith's Stuff That is Totally Awesome Without Lifting a Finger." Treasures would imply that one has to search for it, recognize what it is even when it is a mess and then put in the time and effort to make it shine!

This little "treasure" is a mid-century Dixie walnut dresser made in Sweden. Yes, for those of us who drool over mid-century furniture, this is a treasure! (If you want an idea of just how obsessed I am with "mid-century" just use the "search" function on the left sidebar)

I wanted to see how well the top would clean up...so I stripped one little corner...it's like "taking a peek."

Like a lot of old veneer furniture, there was some chipping on both the top (see the corner!) and the drawer fronts. Fortunately, it was relatively minor. Minor enough to "ignore" as long as the veneer is otherwise "stable."

The top had two ink stains that had penetrated the raw wood. Even after stripping with the acetone/lacquer thinner mixture I use to strip old finishes, there were still some little ink stains. This piece is a prime example of why you DON"T sand....to sand would have risk damaging the thin walnut veneer. I went online and looked for a "chemical" solution..."how to remove ink stains from raw wood." I tried hairspray, baking soda and even alcohol as suggested. Little by little I was able to get rid of MOST of the ink stain...not all, but enough that (as my very wise father use to say) "You will never notice it on a passing train!"

When you are refinishing old furniture sometimes you just have to embrace the imperfections. The only way I could completely mask the veneer chips and the ink stain and a few VERY small water rings would be to paint the entire piece...and I didn't want to do that! My motto...do whatever you have to do to ENHANCE the piece while embracing it's history. No sense in slathering the entire piece with paint just because of a few minor imperfections!

The first thing I did was strip the drawer fronts and the top. I used a mixture of 1/2 acetone and 1/2 lacquer thinner to remove the old finish. I scrubbed the drawer fronts and top with the mixture and steel wool and then I wiped it down with shop rags with a little bit of the mixture on it. You will go through a LOT of old rags during this process...always keep them handy.

After ALL the old finish was removed I "washed" it with mineral spirits. And remember, the color it is while wet with the mineral spirits is pretty much the color it will be with a clear oil finish.

It is obvious from the pictures that the finish was in pretty bad shape and HAD to be removed. Sometimes the finish appears intact, but has a "muddy" look to it. This picture is an example of what I mean by "muddy"...

The top drawer finish has been stripped...the bottom has not. See how the bottom drawer looks "muddy?" After stripping the old finish, you can really see the beauty of the natural wood color and the wood grain! Old finish does that...it gets "muddy" looking. And over time it gets dinged and scratched, so removing it is worth the effort and not really that difficult if you use the acetone/lacquer thinner mixture, steel wool and LOTS of old rags.

You can also see a little veneer chipping along the edges of these drawers. No biggy. Again, embrace the imperfections! I did use a little craft brush and some mahogany stain to touch up the chips and make them a tad less noticeable...again, "passing train."

After I stripped all the drawer fronts I applied 4 coats of tung oil finish. In case you missed the first thousand times I posted about using tung oil finish...1) it is the BEST, 2) it is super easy to apply, 3) it is super durable and 4) it is super easy to "touch up."

I usually apply 3-4 coats of tung oil finish, rubbing with 0000 steel wool and tack cloth between coats after they have dried well. I can not stress enough how important it is to USE TACK CLOTH!!! You will NOT get all the "crumbs" and debris off without it and your finish will look and feel "grainy" or "rough." If you will rub with steel wool between each coat (don't be afraid to really work all the rough spots, even if it seems to "change" the color) and wipe it down with a tack cloth, you will have a smooth, professional finish...to both the touch and the eye! And remember ALWAYS rub or sand WITH the grain!

I did not apply a stain...this is the "natural" color of oiled walnut. Since I tend to be drawn to "warm" colors, I LOVE it!

After looking at the pictures of the dresser, I decided I wanted to oil the legs and "skirt" rather than paint them. So this morning I again put on my arctic gear and went into the garage to strip them.

My plan now is to tape off the top and the legs and paint the cabinet off-white, first applying a primer and then sand and tack before applying the paint. I will do this before I apply oil to the top and legs. Painters tape is pretty good about not pulling off fresh paint or finishes, but I don't want to risk it!

This is where the weather is stopping me in my tracks. I can bring the pieces into the house to oil them, but I can't spray paint in the house and there is no way for me to warm up my garage enough to paint....so again, it will sit and wait for a warmer day.

So stay tuned for PART II....hopefully that will be next week when the temps hit a balmy 60 degrees for one day...before another winter front rolls in.

Blah.....

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Light fixture makeover....

It feels like it has been MONTHS since we had warm weather that would allow me to get out and project. I was beginning to feel the "winter funk" creep in this week so I took a little time to dig around a few of my favorite thrift stores and flea markets.

I scored HUGE on a walnut mid century dresser. I can't wait to start working on it but with temps below freezing there is no way I can strip and refinish. So it will sit...for now. Along with an old chair I picked up at Salvation Army. Perfect for a little chalk paint and new upholstery...when the weather cooperates!

An old light fixture instantly caught my eye at one of my favorite "junk stores" and it was only $5.99 AND it had a BLUE tag so it was 50% off. Seriously, three bucks for a light fixture!

Some of you may be thinking I paid too much...lol!!!

As many times as I have professed my love for "mid-century" I am still drawn to some pieces that are "different." I love milk glass and the globes on this fixture have that "look" about them. I've never been really thrilled with the overhead light fixture in my kitchen and I thought this one would be kind of nifty...with a little tweek here and there of course.

I don't need a great deal of overhead lighting in the kitchen since my awesome SIL Joel installed the under counter lighting (seriously, you have to have under counter lighting...A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.)

But again, the temps aren't cooperating...there is NO WAY I can paint. Unless....

That's right....I built a little heated tent with a sheet and cardboard. Just big enough for the light fixture! The little heaters won't come close to heating up the entire garage when it is bitter cold outside, but they do a fine job of heating this little space!

Yea!!! I get to do something creative!! (I could do a sewing project...but again, that is more torture than creative!)

While the little tented area warmed up, I brought the primer and paint into the house to warm up...not a good idea to paint with cold paint.

First, I had to "dismantle" the fixture and clean it up. The globes went in the dishwasher and I wiped the rest down with a damp rag. Then I taped off the sockets and threads so they wouldn't get painted. I also did not want to paint the little white ceramic doo-dads so I took those off as well. When I did, the wood part of the fixture came off...hum...makes it easy to paint them a really funky, bright color (nah, let's just do boring white!)

I sprayed the metal parts of the fixture with metal primer and the wood with Kilz.

After that dried well, I gave it a quick hit with steel wool and tack cloth, just to get rid of any "crumbs." I painted the metal with brush nickel spray paint and the wood with satin white paint.

Then I reassembled the fixture and hung it in my kitchen! (I will skip the part about handling it before the paint was cured and having to "repaint" it...TWICE! I will skip the part about having to change out the bracket screws, stripping them and then having to hunt for screws the right size. I will skip the part about dropping the wire nuts and crawling around on the floor trying to find them...you might think all DIY projects go smoothly...HA!)

I can easily add a little pop of color to this fixture in the future just by painting the wood part...and it will be easy to do. I can just remove the little ceramic doo-dads and slip the wood off...I won't even have to take down the fixture!

This isn't the first time I have painted a light fixture. Here I show you how easy it is to change the look of a fixture or paddle fan with a little bit of spray paint! Spray paint comes in a variety of awesome designer colors and "metal finishes"....gold, silver, brushed nickel, bronze, etc!

Installing a new light fixture is NOT a hard thing to do...here you can see just how easy it can be!

I think the light fixture is nice. Since I have high ceilings I know I could go with a much larger fixture, but for now I kind of like this one. Again, I don't need a whole lot of overhead lighting. It is definitely different which is something I always look for.

Which brings me to a battle that is currently raging in my brain.

I am not buying the house I shared here. I had intended to buy it whether mine sold or not and rent it until mine sold. After a thorough inspection and getting bids for the "have to" repairs, that's not happening. I am a bit bummed...I really want a smaller house with a smaller yard. And to be honest, I was looking forward to really digging into a project like that.

But since it is was not "meant to be" I am now swinging my attention to a few little things I think I MIGHT want to do in this house...like paint my kitchen cabinets...hence the "raging battle."

I am not in favor of making HUGE changes just for the sake of making changes...or for the sake of "following the fads." I predicted burlap and chevron would fall out of favor in short order...and sure enough it is. But changing out a few pillows here and there or painting over a chevron wall are relatively simple. If this "white cabinet" thing is indeed a "fad" that will soon pass, I would be kind of screwed on the cabinet deal.

If painting will "enhance" your space, go for it. But I am not yet convinced that painting these cabinets will actually "enhance" the space.

I know I want to eventually change out the big hulking refrigerator for a counter depth stainless steel...which means I need a new stainless range...and dishwasher...and microwave...and maybe new flooring....

Truth is, I really like the cabinet color. And the appliances all work just fine. And the flooring is okay. I think I am just craving a major change and a back breaking project. Silly me.

See what happens when I get in a "winter funk."

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Archiving old family photos....

I am a photo hoarder. And not just digital photos. I print every single picture I take, label them and put them in photo albums.

For some, that process is overwhelming! But I have lived long enough to know that every "great format" for photo storage is soon eclipsed by something "better" and the next thing you know your photo storage is obsolete. Slides, negatives, floppy disks, CDs, jump drives, I-whatever, the "cloud." All ways we have stored our photos over the years.

Like many, I have all my digital family photos on my computer and a backup drive. But I take it a step further....I print them all AND I copy them onto two CDs. Each CD is labeled (with a Sharpie) and I put one in a CD case that goes in a labeled box (you know so we can look at them, but we never do!)....

...and the other goes into my fire proof lock box. I divide photos by "person" and those go in the individual's albums and CDs. Group pictures are put onto a "family" CD and in the "family" album. Someday all my kids will be able to take their individual CDs and photo albums...and then they can fight over the "family" photos.

If the house burns or blows away and all my printed photos are destroyed, I will still have the CDs in my lock box. If my computer crashes, I still have my backup, the CDs and my printed photos. Unless an atomic bomb drops on my house, I think I will still have some form of my cherished family photos!!!

BD...Before Digital. I have negatives. Boxes of negatives. My goal SOMEDAY is to buy one of those nifty machines that lets you convert your negatives to digital. Then if all my BD photos are destroyed I will have digital backups. (Seriously, I don't have an apocalyptic bunker...I'm just an "archive freak.")

"Back in the old days" it seems we only took a few pictures of people and events. When I went through my childhood pictures, I found only a handful of pictures taken on holidays and during special events. The cost of the film, development and printing was a bit pricey before digital photos and storage.

One hundred years ago, the only photos a family may have had were portraits that were taken during special occasions! Believe it or not, owning a camera was a luxury.

Now everything is "digital"...camera AND phones... and you can take 400 pictures at Christmas and it doesn't cost much....unless you are like me and actually print all 400 pictures. Seriously, I print all 400, label, divide and put them in albums.

Years ago I inherited several boxes of old family photos, letters and mementos....dating back to the early 1900s. It was all from both my parent's families and I was determined to "divide and conquer" into a system that would work to preserve it all.

Let me say upfront...this was NOT a weekend project...it took me months to do this. Also, I chose this method of archiving the numerous photos I had because they were all different sizes.

First I divided everything by "family"...my mom's and my dad's. Then I had to divide by grandparent's and great-grandparent's...and even a few great-greats...almost like a photo family tree. After I got everything divided into piles, I tried to arrange the photos chronologically. At times that was difficult to do since many of the photos were not dated or labeled in any way. (People, take time to identify and date your pictures...you THINK you will remember who, when and where, but trust me you won't...and who will when you are gone?!)

It was good that I had my mom around to help because she was able to tell me who many of the people where and give me a general idea of when the photos might have been taken! I also emailed many photos to my uncle so he could help me identify people and places and years! Between the two of them I was able to identify and date almost every picture!

I never actually wrote that information ON the original photo, but rather used "sticky" notes until the photos were transferred onto acid free paper! Then I wrote the information on the page so that some day others would be able to easily identify the person and year the photo was taken!

Some did have the original handwritten information on the back so I used my color printer to scan the backs onto acid free paper, printed and cut it out and then attached it with the photo so that others could see what was on the back without having to dislodge the photo. It was amazing to actually see (and preserve) the hand writing of my ancestors!

I know my Great-Grandmother Furr-Tucker was born in 1900...so I know this photo was taken in 1910...but I probably should write that on the page for future generations!

ALWAYS store photos on acid free paper. You can buy it in bulk at your local office supply store. MAKE SURE it specifically says it is ACID FREE or is specifically for archiving! This is important!

Also, if you choose to use photo albums, always make sure the pockets or sleeves are "acid free" or "archival safe." And PLEASE, PLEASE take all the photos you put in to those "magnetic" albums out immediately..they will destroy your pictures over time!

I attached some of the photos onto the acid free paper with just a tiny piece of double sided acid free tape and some with the little acid free "corners" you can pick up at the craft store!

After attaching the photos and writing what information I had about the picture on the paper, I scanned every single page. Yes...EVERY SINGLE PAGE! The great thing about this was I was able to make CDs for family members. Now everyone in the family has high resolution digital copies of every single picture and the information about the photo! And again, if by some disaster the original photos and albums are destroyed, we have digital copies of it all.

I slipped each page into acid free clear pockets. Again, you can find these at your local office supply store!

Then I put all of them into "family" albums and labeled the albums ....

...my dad's family in the blue binders...mom's in the burgundy.

The last albums are photos of my mom and dad together...from the time of their marriage, throughout their lives together, until my father's death. Years ago I "scrapbooked" my personal childhood photos (again, we didn't take many back then) so I already had my personal photos properly stored!

For years my mother was active in the local theater. I put together an album of all her plays. Play bills, photos, scripts, etc.

I was able to purchase "accordion" style acid free clear pockets for things like newspaper clippings, old maps, letters, brochures, certificates, etc...anything I did not want to actually "attach" to paper or was just too bulky. I just slipped them into a clear pocket and they stored easily in the binders without damaging the original item!

I actually found a box of old slides of my mother when she was younger. Slides can be printed and the quality of the photos are AMAZING!!! True treasures! If you have a box of old slides, take them to a photography store and have them printed! It allows you to enjoy the picture without having to find (good luck) an old slide projector! Same with the old 8 mm film...you can have that transferred onto a DVD. I found an old 8 mm reel of my parents at my baby shower and a few minutes of me as a baby...video of my parents and me 50+ years ago...incredible!

It is important to properly archive old family photos and momentos. I found that much of the stuff just thrown into boxes had begun to discolor and degrade. Storing them on acid free paper in acid free pockets in a climate controlled area (like a closet or pantry, NOT the attic) should preserve them for decades!

I also scanned every one of my grandmother's old handwritten recipe cards and I have them on my computer. SOMEDAY I hope to print and share my grandmother's handwritten recipe cards...someday!

Years ago, people actually hand wrote letters...like wrote down the information they wanted to share with others, put it in an envelope and actually MAILED it. No emails, no texts, no twits, no Facebook PMs...just old fashion snail mail. It is a lost art...and as a result we are losing the written history of our families.

I found hundreds of letters my grandmother, great-grandmother and others had written to each other dating from the 1940s into the 1980s! (I suspect that is because long distance calling was no longer as expensive) I spent HOURS at Office Depot copying all the letters and envelopes. Copying the envelope with the letter is important because it may be the only way to date the letter.

Then I organized the letters chronologically and put the copies into binders. I stored the original letters in an acid free box. It was amazing to read what my Great Grandmother wrote about the shooting of JFK in Dallas...where they lived at the time. My Grandmother's accounting of her life while raising my uncles in Germany during the 60s. And the letters she sent back to the states when the family toured Europe during the 50s, just a decade after my Grandfather served there during World War II. Amazing history of my family...it was better reading than any novel!

It always makes me sad to see old family photos and letters at flea markets, auctions and antique stores...historical family documents that should have been preserved by the family. While they are nifty "vintage" photos and letters for you to decorate and craft with, they are someone's ancestors...so sad no one in their family bothered to preserve them!

Old family photos are great for decorating and craft projects. But with today's technology there is no reason to destroy an old family photo or letter by slathering it with decoupage...you can make an exact photo copy by scanning the photo or letter and then preserve the original!

The technology we have today opens a whole world for decorating and crafting....but it is important to use it to preserve our family history as well!

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Finally a little auction action...

...but little to write home about.

The weather was beautiful yesterday but there were no onsite auctions so Brian and I headed to an auction house.

The auction offered several "moving" and "estate" collections, but after a couple of hours we decided our time would be better off spent enjoying the beautiful day. The weather forecast for the next few days is predicting bitter cold, snow and sleet so we definitely wanted to be out enjoying the "pre-spring" temperatures rather than cooped up inside bidding on what few things sparked my interest...and honestly, with the prices things were selling for and the sheer magnitude of the uninteresting items to be sold, I was a tad bored.

I did pick up a few little things. Two old Boy Scout "backpacks"I thought my son-in-law might find interesting and an old scale....

This is the second set of old scales I have purchased...they seem to be all the rage right now! The first set I picked up were antique Penn Scales and they didn't last long in my booth!

I love the look of these "vintage" treasures on my counters but I just can't seem to bring myself to "clutter" what little counter space I have with items I don't use...even if it is nifty looking!

Now if they were scales that belonged to one of my grandmothers, that is another story. Even though I don't use wood cutting boards, the one behind the scales belonged to my grandmother...so it stays.

Usually I will let "froo-froos" hang out for a bit and then eventually I will take it to one of my booths to sell!

For now I have listed the scales on my Etsy store...you can see them here!

That's the "circle of decor life" around here.

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Simple before and afters....

Today I want to share a few super simple little projects that prove you can take the ugliest little piece of furniture and with a few waves of a magic spray paint wand, turn it into something you can proudly use in your home!

These aren't "hard" projects. Most require minimal repairs, a good coat of primer, (my favorite is Kilz) a little sanding and spray paint.

Lowe's (and most home improvement stores) now carry spray paints in awesome designer colors! Teals, reds, pinks, purples, greens....just about any color to compliment or jazz up your decor!

Here I shared how just a little bit of spray paint changed the entire look and feel of the bedroom furniture I had grown weary of (nice way of saying I REALLY disliked it!) I actually kind of like it now and am not tempted daily by the desire to run out and spend thousands on new furniture!

But honestly, that was a pretty sizable project. You don't have to do anything THAT big to make a huge impact on a room. Just painting a few little pieces here and there can change how you feel about a room. As I have said many times, before you sell it in a garage sale for pennies or haul it to the curb, give it a coat of paint. Who knows...you may just find that you like it again! Or if you see something cheap at a garage sale or thrift store, don't turn your nose up at it just because it is the wrong color...color can be changed!

This piece was one my neighbor gave me. Her son had tried to sell it in a garage sale and had no takers! Part of the reason may have been that it was "broken." The little bottom shelf was cracked! A little glue and clamping, a coat of Kilz, sand, tack and spray paint. Good as new...actually, better if you ask me!

On these inexpensive little pieces, I usually just spray paint the existing hardware. Why spend money on new hardware when you can spray paint what is there for next to nothing. Just stick the hardware in a piece of styrofoam, hit it with a little bit of metal primer, then spray paint it! I painted this one with brushed nickel paint. They have gold, silver, bronze...just about any metal color you could want.

I found this ugly little "pressed board" table in one of my apartments. It was missing a drawer, so I added a shelf on the bottom and again...primer, sand, tack and spray paint! Sooooo simple!

I didn't like the wood knob. I had a little knob in my hardware stash so I gave it a coat of black paint...super simple!

This is my bedside table. Again, painting the bed and high boy was a bit of a chore...but just updating the bedside tables can make a huge impact in a bedroom!

I removed the little scrolly doodads on the sides and used wood filler to putty the holes. I went a step further on this table and gel stained the top and painted the base. I HIGHLY recommend using General Finishes gel stain if you want a little contrast on a piece. Again, the hardware wasn't cutting it for me and I didn't want to spend the money on new...so I painted the existing hardware and it changed the entire look of the piece!

Using gel stain is super simple. I use the process featured on "Monica Wants It" on pieces I don't want to strip and it works every time...regardless of what I am staining. Monica used it on oak builder grade cabinets but I have found it works on just about anything! But trust me...follow the process to a T and do not try it with any other gel stain...order the General Finishes Gel Stain on Amazon...other gel stain products just don't work as well!

If you don't like the color of a piece of furniture, PAINT IT! Again, you may still not like it, but you won't get any more or less for it at a garage sale...it's worth a shot!

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Tips and tricks for the DIYer....

On this page, I talk in detail about the tools you definitely want in your DIY arsenal.

Again, if you are an avid DIYer (or want to become one!) these are tools you will want. Ask for them for Christmas, Mother's Day and birthday gifts, invest in them a little at a time as the need arises, and watch for them to go on sale...usually around the holidays and Father's Day (like men are the only ones who need them...geez!)

Throughout the blog, I give detailed instructions on all types of DIY projects...from painting furniture to caulking bath tubs! Just use the search function to find posts that address any questions you might have! Or shoot me an email!

Today I want to share just a few "tips and tricks" I have learned and developed over the years of "projecting." This is by no means a complete list....and most I have shared on here from time to time. But I thought it would be a good time to compile a list of simple little suggestions that can make your DIYing projects a little bit easier.

In no particular order....

1) Cutting foam. For years I used a razor knife, serrated knife and scissors to cut foam. Then I read a "tip" somewhere about using an electric bread knife....

I happened to stumble across one at a garage sale or $1, so I decided to give it a shot.

CUTS THROUGH FOAM LIKE IT IS BUTTER! Seriously, I don't know how I did anything before I added this to my arsenal of tools. I use it to cut foam for cushions and reupholstery projects and it cuts the foam straight and without those "layer lines." I just mark the foam with a sharpie and then cut right through the entire thickness...I use it on regular foam and memory foam!

You can find these knives for pennies at thrift stores and garage sales...GET ONE! For $1, it pays for itself the first time you need it!

2) Speaking of foam....several little "tips." First, I make my own sponge applicators for applying wipe on finishes (oils or poly) and stains by using scrap foam and cheap socks I buy at garage sales and thrift stores!

You can read here how I collect all kinds of things from thrift stores and garage sales to use while projecting...glass bowls, old measuring tools, towels for shop rags, etc. The pennies and dollars saved add up real quick when you project!

And another "tip" on foam. Foam can be REAL expensive if you buy it "by the piece" at craft and sewing stores. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy one of those "memory foam" mattress covers clearance priced from Overstock or Amazon. Use your bread knife to cut it to the size you need for the project you are working on...then roll it up, tie it off with a rope or or even an old sock and save it for the next project!! If you are reupholstering several pieces or making several seat cushions, it might be worth it! Do the math!

3) Painting hardware! Cabinet and dresser hardware can get pretty expensive if you have to replace it. The best source (i.e. the cheapest) I have found for replacements is myknobs.com. But if you don't have the money to buy new hardware or knobs you can paint them!!! Or if you just want the screws that will show to match whatever you are painting, paint them to match!

If you are painting hardware, start by reinserting the screw into the hardware, paint the underside first, then flip it over and stick the screw into a piece of styrofoam. I use old styrofoam lids and styrofoam from shipping packages...

If you are painting screw heads, just stick the screws into the styrofoam!

I always prime mine first with a good metal primer...it dries quickly and then you can spray it with your spray paint or use a "craft" paint brush to paint them. Most home improvement stores carry "metallic" colored paints...brushed nickel, gold, silver, etc.

After I paint the hardware the color I want it, I spray them with a light coat of poly so they will hold up well to use!

Did you know you can paint interior door knobs? Mine were an ugly bright brass. I removed them, stuck them in styrofoam, hit them with a coat of primer and then spray painted them black. They look AMAZING with my interior doors I painted black! And SOOOO much cheaper than replacing all the door knobs!

4) Paint additives. As I have said many times, the trick to getting a great paint finish is the "prep." Stripping, sanding, priming...whatever the piece needs. And of course, using quality brushes or proper spray paint techniques. But ANY time you are going to roll or brush latex paint or oil-based paint you need to add an additive...Floetrol for latex paints and Penetrol for oil-based paints. They help the paint "level" while drying and eliminates brush strokes and roller marks.

5) Paint cans. I always save leftover paint for touch up. The best way to make sure your paint stays usable is to 1) store it indoors, away from extreme heat and cold AND 2) make sure you seal the lid properly. That is tough to do when you have paint gunked up in the rim. So as soon as you open a can of paint (regardless of the size) take a small nail and hammer and punch little holes, about every 2-3", around the inside of the rim....

This allows any paint that gets in the rim from pouring or wiping your brush to flow back into the can. Then you can just wipe out the rim with a paper towel before resealing it!

Speaking of paint cans, make sure you write on the lid what the paint is for...living room walls, master bath trim, etc. If you store it in a closet with the lid well sealed, it will last for YEARS and make touch up a breeze! I just touched up the walls we painted 8 years ago and you can't even tell where I touched up!

6) Which brings me to an important reminder about paint. Make sure you save the leftover for touchups. You can save it in the original can as long as the lid is air tight, which it should be if you use the above tip. If you have just a little bit of paint leftover, pour it in a glass jar with a tight lid or store it in a clean quart size can! STORE IT IN THE HOUSE! In the back of a closet or cabinet and labeled. Just make sure you don't put it someplace that has extreme hot and cold...like a storage building or garage.

Clearly mark the container so you know what room it goes to. I repainted my living room, kitchen and den 8 years ago. I stored the leftover paint in the cubby in my laundry room. Last week I opened the can, gave the paint a good stirring and used a 4" foam roller to touch up all the walls. You can't even tell!

Both oil based and latex will store for years if you keep it out of extreme temperatures and seal the container. Oil based paint may form a thick hard layer...just scope it out with a stick and stir it REAL well...good as new! I have been able to touchup my trim for YEARS with the same can of leftover oil-based paint!

I keep a can of leftover paint in all my rooms...touch up is a breeze regardless of how long it has been since I last painted

7) Floral Foam. A huge expense. Here I share with you how to use spray insulation foam to fill urns and flower pots for seasonal arrangements!

8) Finding inspiration. Here I share how I found inspiration for my master bathroom.

So many times we zero in on a picture on Pinterest or another blog and think "Wow, I want my room/dresser/desk to look JUST like that." But unless you have a room/dresser/desk just like that or have the same exact resources for the elements, yours may never look "just like that" and you will inevitably be disappointed!

So take your time...collect pictures that "strike your fancy." Even if it isn't a space "just like yours" put the picture in a file (either a paper file or computer file). Do this over a period of time and then go back and look at them. Find the common element in each...what is it about that space or item that you love?

Chances are, you don't love EVERYTHING, but maybe just a few of the elements....the color, the style, the hardware, the lighting. Regardless of how many "inspiration" pictures you have gathered, there will be something in each you can incorporate into your project.

Don't take a picture of a million dollar master suite and tell the clerk at the home improvement store (or your husband) that you want THAT suite in your 3 bedroom ranch house. Probably isn't going to happen. But you can take the elements of ALL your "inspiration" rooms and incorporate it into your space.

9) Make lists. Large or small project! Seriously. Sit down and make a list of EVERYTHING you want to do in your space...by room. Or if you have a lot of little "honey-do" projects you want completed throughout your house, write them down!

Seriously overwhelming huh?

Now, prioritize. You can do this by room or by project, depending on what you want accomplished.

You may not be able to completely redecorate your master bedroom, but maybe you can start by completing a few smaller projects in that room and throughout the house.

If your plan is to completely redecorate a room, it is important that you collect your inspiration as I suggested, make a detailed list of each project you want to complete, assign a realistic cost (keeping in mind that you may have HIRE someone to do some of the work!), and then write down each project in the order in which you intend to complete the task.

If you need to declutter and clean the space, write it down. If you need to make little repairs here and there (walls, missing trim, etc) write it down!

This is called "making a plan." Just like building a house...you have to have a plan and you have to know exactly what needs to be done and the order in which each task has to be completed...and for most of us, we have to have a realistic budget. WRITE IT DOWN AND FOLLOW THE PLAN!! The entire plan...from start to finish!

As you go, mark off the completed tasks...this is what I call "eating an elephant one bite at a time!"

10) Which brings me to my last "tips for the day." Declutter and clean! Seriously, GET RID OF STUFF! Clutter and filth are the number one reason why people struggle with home DIY projects. You want your space to look like a picture on a blog or Pinterest...but let me ask you, when was the last time you saw a picture of a space you loved that was filled with clutter or just plan dirty! You don't.

These are just a few helpful tips! Every project is different and as I have shared what I do, I try to give you little tips here and there that will make your DIY project a little easier and a little more affordable.

I am always amazed at what people think they CAN'T do. I like to think that we in the "blogisphere" inspire others to take on a I CAN DO THAT attitude!